O's stay in win-one, lose-one mode, and Brady Anderson on HR Derby

The Orioles are still taking one step forward followed by one step back. They can't seem to build on any momentum they gather. The latest example was the walk-off grand slam hit by Manny Machado that provided an uplifting win on Friday night. It was followed by a 5-1 loss last night to the Los Angeles Angels.

Over the last 12 games the Orioles have gone win, loss, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, loss, win and loss. That is a 5-7 record in that span.

The Orioles scored 12 runs last Saturday night at Oakland and then lost 9-3 the next day. They scored 11 runs Monday at Seattle and lost 3-1 the next day. Their offense has put up some big numbers in games recently. But the Orioles have also scored three runs or fewer 55 times this season, going 12-43.

Their starting rotation is starting to spring some leaks again, having allowed 21 runs and 27 hits in 17 2/3 innings the last four games for a 10.70 ERA. They have had starts of 4 2/3, 4 1/3, 4 2/3 and four innings in that stretch.

In this series, Jeremy Hellickson and Kevin Gausman allowed 12 runs and nine home runs over 8 2/3 innings. The Orioles bullpen has pitched 9 1/3 scoreless in the series, but their starters need to keep the ball in the park. Los Angeles hit four homers in the first two innings Friday and four in the first four innings Saturday. This from an Angels team that ranks 14th and next to last in the American League in team homers.

Chris Tillman re-enters the rotation today. After two solid bullpen outings, can he keep the ball in the park and pitch the Orioles to a series win today?

Brady wins HR Derby: Current Orioles vice president of baseball operations and former outfielder Brady Anderson won the Home Run Derby competition Saturday night at Camden Yards. Five players from the 1992 Orioles took part. Anderson beat Sam Horn 5-4 in the final after they advanced over Chris Hoiles, Mike Devereaux and Joe Orsulak.

It was all part of the weekend celebration of the 25^th anniversary season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Players got one point for hitting a "homer" over a rope set 300 feet from home plate, and three for hitting one over the fence. Horn hit two over the fence and Anderson one in the first round, but neither player did so in the final.

But Anderson said it has been a fun weekend and was a fun competition, and one that he took very seriously.

"I had a blast," he said. "It sounds ridiculous but I didn't think of it any different in my head than any Home Run Derby. I remember my first Home Run Derby in Philadelphia. I used to have a stance where I got up on my back foot and rocked back and forth. I had a mic on me and I remember my back leg was shaking and was worried the cameras would pick that up.

"We've seen some disastrous Home Run Derbies. I think (Mike) Piazza had, I think, three and didn't hit one homer. You can pretend like it doesn't matter and laugh it off or take it seriously and do your best. I prefer to do my best.

"I think this is one of the most fun events. I loved it in Japan. I liked doing it when we had the Hall of Fame game. I went up against (Jose) Canseco in that one. It's a little sad that they had to bring in the fences, but it's all right," he said laughing.

The return of about 20 players from the first O's team to play at Camden Yards in 1992 proved to be a hit with both those former players and O's fans.

"I like seeing ex-teammates," Anderson said. "You don't get to do it often. Some of them I see quite a bit and some I keep in contact with, but most of the guys I hadn't seen since the '92 or '93 season. It's nostalgic in a way and it's a little sad in a way, knowing it's been a quarter century since you first played at this stadium. It doesn't seem like we played on the field 25 years ago."

Anderson was informed by a reporter that Cal Ripken Jr., his close friend, joked that Anderson set up the Home Run Derby competition so he could win it.

"No, I didn't. I mean, I would have. I just didn't know about it. I'll be happy to set up the 50^th anniversary," he said.